Elizabeth Banks is circling Lionsgate's adaptation of the dystopian bestseller "Hunger Game," TheWrap has confirmed.
A Lionsgate spokesperson declined to comment, but an individual with knowledge of the production said that an offer had been made but the deal wasn't set.
The "W." star and "30 Rock" guest star would play Effie Trinket, a flighty, pink haired executive who works on the gladiator-like games that form the heart of Suzanne Collins' young adult novel.
Banks joins Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hucherson and Liam Hemsworth in "Hunger Games," which Lionsgate plans to release the film on March 23, 2012.
Also read: 'Hunger Games' Gets Its Peeta & Gale -- Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
Lionsgate has high hopes for the film, which it hopes to turn into a franchise to potentially rival Summit's mega-grossing "Twilight. The book is the first in a trilogy and has sold 3 million copies in print in the United States.
Gary Ross ("Seabiscuit") will direct, and Nina Jacobson’s Color Force will produce in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. Billy Ray ("Shattered Glass," "State of Play") wrote the screenplay.
Banks is represented by UTA and Untitled Entertainment. News of her casting was first reported on Variety.com.
